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Have you ever wondered if there is a benefit to your child attending a summer camp that extends beyond arts and crafts? The answer is yes. Attending summer camp provides your children with essential skills that can transfer to school.

While the experience of camp is different for everyone, you can reasonably expect your child to grow socially and emotionally which will, in turn, help them to become more successful students. Camp can provide:

1. A Work Ethic

Your child will have to complete activities at camp and some of those activities may be difficult. Your child will be taught to persevere and work through the things that don’t come easy. They will learn to work for the things they think are important.

2. Social Confidence

Learning to cooperate with others is essential in life. Camp provides a fantastic opportunity to develop this important social skill. Your child will work and play with other campers, learning how to be part of a group.

3. Decision-Making Ability

As your child makes choices for themselves, they will grow confident in their decision-making abilities. Camp will encourage your child to make good choices for themselves and others.

4. Self Esteem

By attending camp, your child will learn that they are a separate and self-sufficient person. Their successes will help build their self-esteem. Positive feedback from camp counselors and a newfound sense of what they are able to accomplish will help your child as they attend school.

There are dozens of benefits to attending summer camp. If you are looking for financial aid for Jewish summer camp, please reach out to our friendly staff. We believe that camp is an integral part of childhood and we are here to help you and your family find the funds you need to be able to send your child to a great camp.

Do you remember having fun at summer camp when you were a child? Maybe you didn’t attend camp, but had a family member or friend of the family who would make crafts with you. These are some of the best memories of childhood.

Kids love getting creative, and Jewish summer camp offers a great opportunity to put their artistic minds to work. Here are a few of the best crafts found at summer camps.

1. Leaf Art

This is a nice way to remember a nature walk. Have kids pick out interesting leaves or the ones they think are pretty.

When they get back to camp, they lightly paint one side of the leaf and then press it to paper. They can do this with each leaf and different colors to make a beautiful work of art.

2. Plastic Jump Rope

Many people don’t know what to do with all of those plastic shopping bags they collect. Why not make a jump rope? All you have to do is cut the bottom of the bags so they lay flat, cut the bags into strips and knot them together to create six long ropes.

Braid three together and then the other three and then twist both braids tightly. Duct tape wrapped around the ends gives you handles.

3. Glow Lanterns

These are fun crafts that double as lanterns for night hikes or sitting around a campfire. All kids need is a clear glass or plastic jar and a pack of glow sticks.

The ends of the glow sticks are cut off and the content are dumped in the jar. Shake the jar and it glows! Some people add water to make the glow last longer.

If You Need Financial Aid for Jewish Summer Camp…

These are just a few of the fun crafts that we have found at summer camps. Your child will love having the opportunity to use both their imaginations and their hands.

If you are looking for financial aid for Jewish summer camp, please reach out to us. We are here to help make sure your child has a fantastic summer.

Some children get homesick when they go to camp, especially for the first time. Other children get “campsick” when they come home. Making friends and then having to leave them can be emotional for kids who attend camp.

You may know how to deal with homesickness, but do you know what to do for your child when they’re missing their campmates?

1. Exchange Phone Numbers

Cell phones make it easier than ever to stay in touch. If your children are too little for a phone, exchange numbers with the other parent and set up a schedule for Facetime or phone calls. This can turn a budding friendship into a lasting one.

2. Email

Emailing is appropriate for children of all ages and has two benefits: It will allow your little one to keep in touch with new friends, and it lets them practice their keyboarding skills. Emails should be copied to parents until children are old enough to communicate unsupervised.

3. Skype

If you don’t have cell phones that are compatible with one another for video calling, install Skype on your computer. Skyping is the perfect option for kids who want to be able to see each other on a regular basis. Get creative. Your kids can read books to one another, watch movies together and do many of the same things virtually that they would do in person.

4. Schedule Visits

Children who live within the same geographical area can visit one another on occasion. Set up a field trip to the local zoo or botanical garden, head out to a park or splash pad. There are ways that you can get the kids together that won’t break the bank.

If you are interested in pursuing financial aid for Jewish summer camp, please reach out to our helpful team. We understand how important camp is and are here to help make sure your child gets to attend.

Many parents consider sending their kids to Jewish summer camp, and then pause. They wonder if their kids are too old. For some reason, summer camp tends to be thought of as a place for smaller children and not for teenagers. So here’s the answer to the question in your head: No. Your child is (probably) not too old for summer camp.

Summer camp provides a wealth of opportunity for tween and teens that shouldn’t be overlooked. Skills like acceptance, respect and friendship can be taken with your kid into their adult lives and, let’s face it, teenage relationships are light years different than the relationships between young children.

Summer camp today may be a better option for tween and teens than ever before. In today’s world of social media, texting and technology, kids are forgetting how to develop personal relationships. When you send your child to camp, they are given the opportunity to connect with same-aged peers on a more personal level.

One of the things you can do is to look at the difference camps available to find the right fit for your kid. Your child may not be interested in making crafts, but they may be very interested in learning a musical instrument or participating in outdoor activities. Jewish summer camp may be centered around faith, but camps differ. Find one that is best suited to your teen.

If you are interested in finding financial aid for Jewish summer camp this year, reach out. We are here to help ensure that your child is able to experience camp regardless of your financial situation. We can help find the money you need.

It’s almost time. Your little one will be going off to summer camp. You’re pretty much packed, but you could use a bit of help. Are you organizing the bags correctly? Do you need to label things? Here are some last minute packing tips to help you make sure your child is ready for summer camp.

1. Plastic Bags

Freezer bags, gallon bags and sandwich bags are your friends. Buy several boxes of varying sizes. Gallon bags are great for shoes and summer clothes. Sandwich bags are great for chargers, underwear and socks. Storing things in plastic bags will help your child find what they are looking for quickly.

2. Label Everything

If you want it returned to you, label it. How you label things will depend on what they are, but everything your child takes to camp should have their name emblazoned on it somewhere.

3. Toiletries

Pack toiletries in their own bag. The camp your child attends may have requirements when it comes to sizes and how they are packed so be sure to ask. Having these items in their own bag will let your child find them with ease.

4. Bedding

If the camp your child is attending expects them to pack their own bedding, put this all in a separate bag. If your child has a favorite pillow or stuffed animal, be sure to pack it.

5. A Small Gift

A surprise gift waiting for your child when they open their bag will be welcomed. Make your child feel special by purchasing something small, wrapping it and putting it on top of whatever you’ve packed. It can go a long way in making them feel a little less homesick.

No one wants to become a meal for insects. Unfortunately, millions of us spend a few uncomfortable days each summer after being bitten by the local population of mosquitoes. Even worse is the itching sensation of a bee sting.

The good news is that many of these bites and stings can be avoided with a bit of proactive behavior on your part. If your child is going to summer camp this year, here’s how to help them avoid being uncomfortable:

1. Eucalyptus Oil

Bugs hate eucalyptus oil. Make a solution of 1 cup of water to five drops of eucalyptus oil. Dab the solution on the skin for a natural insect repellent. Calendula ointment can be dabbed on the skin as well if you are looking for another natural repellent.

2. Long Sleeves and Pants

Pack long sleeve shirts and long pants with your child. It might be hot and they may prefer to wear as little as allowed, but covering their skin can help will help protect them from stings and bites.

3. Light Colors

While you’re packing, make sure that you pack light colored clothing. Bees and wasps are attracted to bright colors that may mimic the shade of flowers. Interestingly, insects cannot see the color red, making it a great choice.

4. Avoid Body Sprays

Have your child avoid wearing body sprays and perfumes. These scents can attract stinging and biting insects. Soap and water to clean with is fine, but anything beyond that should be avoided.

Summer camp can be an enjoyable experience for your young child. You want to be sure that they are as comfortable as possible during their stay. A week or two spent itching and scratching is no fun. Use the tips above to help your child prevent bites and stings.

The art of letter writing is perhaps a thing of the past. Texts have taken the place of written communication, providing quick snippets of information without the need to sit down and put pen to paper. With your child leaving for summer camp in the coming weeks, it’s time to get your creative juices flowing.

They may not write you back, but you can be sure that they will enjoy getting a letter from home in the mail. Here are some creative ways to stay in contact with your child while they are off at summer camp.

Top 10 Lists

Top 10 lists are a fun way to keep in touch and let your little one know what’s going on at home. Think of a “Top 10 Things We’ve Been Doing While You Have Been at Camp” or “Top 10 Things We Did Today”. These lists can be sincere or comical.

From the Pet

If your child has a favorite pet at home, let your pet “write” the letter. Write a letter from the perspective of the family dog or guinea pig. Your little one will be tickled by the thought.

Joke Collections

Write down a few funny jokes or riddles and pop them in the mail. Your child can share them with their fellow campers.

Family Collection

Ask close relatives and family friends for a single sentence. Combine all of the sentences in a fun way to create a letter to your child. Be sure to sign everyone’s name at the bottom, and ask your child to write you back, guessing which relative or friend made which statement.

Your child will most likely miss home no matter how much fun they are having at camp. A letter from a loved one can make all the difference in the world for a child feeling a little homesick. Plan on writing daily, and your letters will be a great part of your child’s camp memories.

If you are interested in sending your child to Jewish summer camp in Atlanta, we can help you find the monetary resources you need. Reach out to our helpful team today, and learn more about what we can do for you.

Do-it-yourself tie-dye t-shirts have been popular for ages, but they are recently experiencing a comeback in a big way. They are easy to make, and kids love wearing their own creation. If your child is going to be attending summer camp this year, you can expect that they will tie-dye something.

Whether you are running a camp or you’re looking for a fun project to do with the kids at home, give tie-dying your own shirts a try. It’s easier than you may think and is a very engaging project that will keep your kids entertained for hours.

1. Gather Your Supplies

You will need the following supplies to properly undergo the tie-dye process: white T-shirts, thick rubber bands, soda ash or baking soda, a bucket, some paint sponges or brushes and dye.

2. Soak the Shirt

Soak the shirt in a bucket of warm water mixed with soda ash or baking soda. This will help the dye stick to the material. Let the shirt soak for about 20 minutes before you wring it out.

3. Twist and Turn

Twist and scrunch the shirt however you wish. You can find some great instructions online if you are looking to create a specific pattern. After you have the shirt in a certain position, wrap rubber bands around the shirt in places so that it stays put.

4. Apply Dye

Take your paint sponges or brushes and apply dye to the t-shirt. You will want to stop one color at a rubber band and then start another. This will give you a pattern of swirls, stripes or circles depending on how you’ve tied your shirt.

5. Wrap It

Once you are done with the dye, wrap the shirt with cling film and let it sit overnight. Remove the film in the morning, rinse the shirt and hang it to dry. That’s it! In just five simple steps, you’ve created a shirt that will always bring back fond memories of summer camp whenever it is worn.

If you are interested in sending your child to Jewish summer camp in Atlanta this summer and would like financial assistance, please reach out to our team. We can help you find the money you need to ensure your child has a terrific summer.

When you decide to send your child to summer camp, you do extensive research to ensure that you are sending them to the perfect camp. You want to be sure that they have a good time while they are away from home and that they are safe.

One important factor to consider when deciding on the right summer camp is the camper-to-staff ratio. When the ratio gets too high, say around 13 campers to one staff member, your child will not get the individual attention they deserve. In order to maintain the safety of the large group of campers, a counselor or other staff member will have to treat the campers as a homogenous group. Therefore, they will not receive focused, individual attention during the activities you have paid for.

If you want to ensure that your child gets the attention they deserve and you expect, you will want to look for a smaller ratio. Here are some other important reasons that you’ll want to ensure a low camper-to-staff ratio:

A deeper understanding between staff and campers

Heightened safety

Higher morale among campers

More accomplishments

Active engagement in camp activities

Reduction in instances of homesickness

If you are interested in sending your child to Jewish summer camp in Atlanta this year and are looking for financial assistance, please reach out to our office. We will be happy to assist you in finding the sources of funds that you need in order to send your child to camp.

Summer is still months away, but you may already be thinking of summer camp for your child with disabilities. With so many options, it can be difficult to make a decision. The best thing you can do is to start considering your choices earlier rather than later so that you have time to find the right special needs camp for your little ones.

What You Want Your Child to Gain

One of the first considerations to make is to determine what you want your child to gain from summer camp. Do you want them to gain new skills or enhance ones they already have? Knowing what you want your child to gain from camp can help you slim down your choices.

Schedules and Structure

Your child may be used to a very strict routine at home, and you could be worried that their routine’s disruption will throw them off. You can look for a summer camp that follows a set schedule every day to help your child adjust.

Location

While location may not be your first consideration, it is certainly one of the top on your list. You may need a bit more money than you had originally planned if the camp is in a different state or even just cities away. Applying for grants and scholarships now can ensure that you have the funds needed.

Other things to consider will be your child’s medical needs, the number of camp staff to children, and the length of the camp. Once you have taken all of these things into consideration, you can make an informed decision when it comes to your child’s summer camp.

If you are considering a Jewish summer camp in Atlanta for your child with disabilities this summer and are looking for financial aid, reach out to our team. We can help you find the monies you are looking for.